Politics
You will fail again, APC warns, as Atiku eyes 2027 presidential bid
The All Progressives Congress has waved off the reported plan by the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, to contest the 2027 election.
The APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, in an interview on Wednesday, described Atiku’s 2027 ambition as the most laughable news of 2024. He said the former vice-president would be defeated again.
The spokesperson for the ex-vice president, Daniel Bwala, had on Tuesday night confirmed that his principal would contest again the presidential election in 2027.
Atiku attempted to become Nigeria’s President six times but was unsuccessful in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023.
After the Supreme Court affirmed President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 election in which he came second, Atiku hinted that he was not retiring from politics and pledged his readiness to continue to shape the democratic discourse.
He had said, “As for me and my party, this phase of our work is done. However, I am not going away. For as long as I breathe, I will continue to struggle with other Nigerians to deepen our democracy and rule of law and for the kind of political and economic restructuring, the country needs to reach its true potential.
“That struggle should now be led by the younger generations of Nigeria who have even more stake than my generation.”
But speaking in an interview on Channels television on Tuesday night, Bwala described Atiku as the president Nigeria never had.
Responding to a question on whether Atiku would contest in the 2027 presidential election, the lawyer said, “Sure, he would run. He has the capacity, he has the wisdom, he has the knowledge, he has the energy.
,”And he is a president we never had. Because to be honest with you, if any politician understands the private sector very well, it is Atiku Abubakar and our economy can only come alive if there is a private sector-led economy. He’s the president the country is missing because of his experience and capacity.’’
Commenting on Bwala’s disclosure, the PDP Deputy Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said it was a welcome development, but countered the insinuation that the 2027 presidential ambition of some leaders might put the party in limbo, adding that the PDP must galvanize, harmonize, and mobilize support ahead of 2027.
PDP commends Atiku
Abdullahi in a chat with one of our correspondents, stated, “It( PDP) is a political party. The ultimate objective and goal of a political party is to produce leadership. So, if people are interested in vying for the presidency, governorship, Senate, or whatever office in 2027 on the platform of the PDP, I don’t think they should begin to mobilise because that is one way you can keep a political party going.”
On the timing, he said “You cannot just wake up in the morning and instruct people not to nurse ambition. Then, it is not a political party. I understand the question to mean if they continue to promote their political ambition, it will be to the detriment of the political party; no, that is not correct.
“What I know as a politician: Politics is about ambition, politics is about interests. So, if people start jostling for power now, ahead of 2027 as you see it, it is not too early.
“There’s a need for them to cross the file and rank to ensure that they promote it in a healthy atmosphere, and that will keep the political party afloat. So, I am of the view that it is a healthy development. They should be allowed to do it once it is within the confines of the law.
“We’re not just expecting people to go campaigning now or rallying for support, but what they want to do is to promote the party and to be able to indicate interest in certain offices. It’s a healthy development.”
However, the APC publicity director Wednesday Atiku would lose the 2027 presidential election heavily. According to him, the former Vice-President does not have any political value.
On whether Atiku’s ambition is a threat to the APC, Ibrahim said “Our party, which is the All Progressive Congress, thrashed Atiku not once, not twice. Even when we thought he had the energy and little credibility to make him viable to Nigerians, we defeated him completely.
“How can someone who is just trying to regain his balance be a threat to the APC come 2027? That is unthinkable; Atiku can never be a threat to the APC. He wasn’t a threat when he had little value. How can he be a threat when he is already valueless? It’s a dream that will not come to pass.’’
The party spokesman advised the ex-VP to quit politics, noting that he was being misled by his aides and political associates.
APC chides ex-VP
Ibrahim added, “Atiku should better forget about politics completely. I think this is the imagination of Bwala and a few others around him. And it only goes to tell you that Atiku is surrounded by people who mislead him because anybody who has real feelings and concern for Atiku will not advise him to run against Tinubu again; not in the far future.
“This is not an issue of concern to the APC at all. Atiku is not a force to reckon with. He has never been a force to reckon with and he cannot be in 2027 when he must have diminished in terms of political value. We have not gotten to the bridge, but when we get there we will cross it.”
Some opposition political parties agreed that Atiku had the right to pursue his presidential ambition in 2027.
The New Nigeria People’s Party noted that though Atiku reserved the right to aspire to any political office of his choice, 2027 appears too far away to warrant a conversation yet.
The spokesman for the NNPP Presidential Campaign Council in the 2023 election, Ladipo Johnson, reasoned that a lot of events might happen between now and 2027 that could render the conversation around the subject unnecessary.
He said, “Daniel Bwala has the right to say whatever he wants regarding the ambition of his principal but it is left for Nigerians to decide what they want. Year 2027 is a long way to go and I think it will be improper to start a conversation around it. It is too early.
“In fairness to him, Atiku has the right to contest as many times as he wants. From now to 2027, a lot may happen. Let’s see how events play out.”
‘Support Obi’
But the spokesman for the 2023 Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Yunusa Tanko in an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday said Nigerians were tired of Atiku and others from the “old stock.”
Tanko, who said Obi would contest the 2027 presidential election, said the former Anambra State governor wanted to see Nigeria working for all.
He said “Anybody who wants to show ambition and start building at the moment, it is the person’s fundamental rights. But, we believe that we have the interest of people at heart. And the people are tilting towards us, especially the Nigerian youths. They are tired of the old stock.
“So even if anybody coming from the old stock still wants to run for election, we wish him all the best. But it could have been better for them to support a younger generation like Peter Obi in the form of uniting this country so that we can move forward collectively. That will have made more sense and more appreciative to the Nigerian people at the moment.
When asked whether Obi would contest the 2027 election, he said “ That one is sure. There is no ambiguity on that, that one is sure.”
The documents, which were displayed at INEC offices across the country in line with the Electoral Act 2026, are yet to be uploaded to the commission’s website as of the time of filing this report.
The process allows members of the public and eligible persons to scrutinise the information submitted by candidates.
The publication was carried out in compliance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires INEC to display the personal particulars and supporting documents submitted by candidates.
Full list of presidential candidates
Bola Tinubu – All Progressives Congress (APC)
Atiku Abubakar – African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Peter Obi – Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)
Senator Sandy Onor – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Omoyele Sowore – African Action Congress (AAC)
Donald Duke – Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
Okwori Ada Elizabeth Frederick – National Democratic Party (NDP)
Chukwu Anita Zugwai – Young Progressives Party (YPP)
Rufai Adekunle Omoaje – Action Alliance (AA)
Adenuga Sunday – Boot Party
Memeh Samuel – Democratic Liberty Alliance (DLA)
Nwanyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu – Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
Okereke Sunday Chibuzor – Labour Party (LP)
Okereke Iken Esther – National Rescue Movement (NRM)
Abbas-Bin Aliyu – Action Democratic Party (ADP)
Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed – New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer – Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Seyi Makinde – Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
Yusuf Kabiru – Action Peoples Party (APP)
Vice-presidential candidatesNigeria election countdown
Kashim Shettima (APC)
Rotimi Amaechi (ADC)
Rabiu Kwankwaso (NDC)
Shehu Hussaini (AA)
Egbeola Olawale Mertins (YPP)
Ike Chinazam (ADP)
Mustapha Usman Turaki (Boot Party)
Balogun Alex (DLA)
Chikwuemeka Uchenna Anthony (NDP)
Magashi Haruna Garba (AAC)
Umaru Babangida (PDP)
Konto Hajja Bintu (LP)
Hassan Khalid (ZLP)
Samuel Magdalene Gali (NRM)
Abubakar Isah (NNPP)
Buba Musa (PRP)
Bugaje Usman Mohammed (SDP)
Ibrahim Adamu Bala (APM)
Ofordile Peace Egobia (APP)
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for the Osun State governorship election and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has charged members of the council to focus on securing victory for the party, stressing that every other matter can wait until after the election.
Uzodinma gave the charge on Monday at a meeting of the campaign council held at the Kano State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
He described the campaign as a serious assignment, urging members not to treat it as an occasion for celebration or social activities.
According to him, the primary objective of the campaign council is to mobilise support and deliver victory for the APC in the August 15 Osun governorship election.
Uzodinma said the meeting was a working session and urged members to contribute meaningfully to the campaign.
“We have directed all the subcommittees to meet immediately and submit their ideas and proposals before Thursday. Every member of this council belongs to a subcommittee and has a role to play in ensuring our success in the August 15 governorship election,” he said.
He added that the purpose of the meeting was to formally mandate the subcommittees to reconvene and develop practical ideas and strategies that would strengthen the party’s campaign.
The governor directed chairmen of the various subcommittees to submit their resolutions and proposals to the council’s National Secretary, assuring them that the Central Working Committee would provide the necessary support to execute their assignments.
“I therefore urge all the chairmen of all the subcommittees to submit to the National Secretary of this committee all their resolutions and proposals that will enable them to work, and where they think the Central Working Committee will help them to actualise their mission,” Uzodinma said.
The APC campaign council chairman reiterated that the party had a single objective ahead of the election.
“We have only one mission, to win the election. Everything can come after the elections,” he declared.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has warned President Bola Tinubu against allowing the alleged manipulation of the August 15 governorship election in the state, cautioning that any attempt to subvert the will of the people could trigger a political crisis reminiscent of the violence that followed the disputed 1983 elections.
Adeleke issued the warning on Monday while addressing thousands of supporters at Orita-Sabo in Olorunda Local Government Area during a campaign rally ahead of the governorship poll.
The governor accused leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun of allegedly sponsoring political violence and intimidation, urging President Tinubu to call party leaders and security agencies to order.
“Mr President, I want you to take note of my words. I am the Chief Security Officer of Osun. You are a Yoruba man and Osun is Yorubaland, yet your party chieftains are perpetrating political violence while you look the other way,” Adeleke said.
Calling for a peaceful and credible election, the governor said his administration was only demanding a transparent electoral process.
“Mr President, all we demand is a free and fair election. If anybody tries to do otherwise, the political crisis of 1983, when some people tried to rig Michael Ajasin in Ondo State out of power, may repeat itself again,” he warned.
Adeleke also alleged that security agencies, particularly the police, were being used to harass political opponents, urging the President to uphold the democratic principles he once championed.
“Mr President, call your people to order. Call the police chiefs to order. I am the governor here, not any other person. Accord has already endorsed you as its presidential candidate, so why are we suffering again?
“You fought for democracy in Nigeria and you must not allow your people to destroy it. Wake up to your responsibility, Mr President. Stop the shenanigans going on in Osun,” he said.
The governor maintained that protecting the integrity of the election was essential to preserving peace and democratic stability in the state.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council, Senator Lere Oyewumi, urged residents of Osun to turn out in large numbers on election day and vote for Adeleke’s re-election.
Oyewumi said the governor’s performance had earned him another term, urging eligible voters not only to cast their ballots but also to remain vigilant in protecting their votes.
“The good work of Governor Adeleke is enough reason for the people to return him to office. We urge all eligible voters to come out en masse, vote and protect their votes,” he said.
No fewer than 10 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are receiving treatment in various hospitals across Ebonyi State after suspected political thugs disrupted a party rally in Ikwuator Idembia, Ezza South Local Government Area, leaving several people injured and property destroyed.
The violence occurred on Saturday afternoon during a reception organised to welcome former All Progressives Congress (APC) member, Ifeanyi Nworie, into the PDP.
The event was initially scheduled to hold at a roadside village square in the community. However, eyewitnesses said suspected thugs wearing T-shirts bearing the image of a federal lawmaker stormed the venue, forcing the organisers to relocate the gathering to Nworie’s private residence.
The relocation, however, did little to prevent the violence, as the attackers reportedly traced participants to the new venue, where they allegedly unleashed another wave of attacks.
Several PDP supporters sustained varying degrees of injuries, while canopies, plastic chairs, public address systems and other valuables were vandalised during the incident.
Addressing journalists in Abakaliki after the attack, Ebonyi State PDP Chairman, Chukwuma Igwe, condemned the incident, describing it as a calculated assault on democracy and an attempt to intimidate opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Igwe alleged that the attack was part of a growing pattern of intimidation against PDP members in the state, claiming that party supporters had faced repeated threats and assaults in recent weeks.
He said vehicles were damaged and several people were attacked with dangerous weapons, adding that at least eight victims were receiving medical treatment following the latest incident.
“We have called this press conference to draw the attention of Nigeria and Nigerians to undemocratic actions deliberately orchestrated to undermine the conduct of the 2027 general elections in Ebonyi State,” he said.
The PDP chairman called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Armed Forces and other security agencies to discharge their constitutional responsibilities by protecting all political parties and ensuring a level playing field ahead of the elections.
He maintained that the PDP would not be intimidated by what he described as anti-democratic forces, regardless of those allegedly behind the attacks.
“As political activities commence in the coming days, we urge our members to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
“We also call on the Ebonyi State Government to play by the rules of democracy, bearing in mind that no one has a monopoly on violence or misconduct,” Igwe stated.
He further urged security agencies to remain impartial in the discharge of their duties and safeguard citizens’ constitutional rights to freely associate and participate in political activities.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State chapter of the APC has denied involvement in the incident.
Responding to the PDP’s allegation, APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, described the party as a peaceful organisation guided by the leadership of Governor Francis Nwifuru, whom he said strongly opposes political violence.
According to Emegha, individuals dissatisfied with Nworie’s political decisions may have masterminded the attack rather than APC members.
“So far as it has to do with APC in Ebonyi State, we watch the body language of our dear Governor. He doesn’t want to offend anyone. As such, we must toe his path.
“There is no time APC will have a hand in violence because if anyone gets involved, the governor will abandon such a person,” he said.
He added that Governor Nwifuru believes political disagreements should not degenerate into violence, stressing that political opponents could become allies in the future.
“People who are no longer comfortable with Ifeanyi Nworie’s political behaviour may be responsible for the incident,” Emegha added.
The violence also affected journalists covering the event.
No fewer than 10 journalists travelling in the official vehicle of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, were reportedly attacked while on their way to the rally at the invitation of Nworie.
The assailants allegedly smashed parts of the NUJ-branded vehicle in an attempt to gain access to it and reportedly searched for fuel with the intention of setting it ablaze before the driver successfully manoeuvred out of the area.
One of the alleged attackers, Friday Agbom, an APC chieftain and legal practitioner, reportedly warned the journalists against returning to the community, describing them as “political journalists.”
As of the time of filing this report, the police had not issued an official statement on arrests or an investigation into the incident.
Politics
Breaking: Court of Appeal Sets Aside Judgement Ordering Deregistration of ADC, Four Other Parties
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court which ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision on Tuesday, declared the judgement ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the parties “null and void.”
Recall that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had ordered INEC to deregister the parties over their performance in the 2023 general elections.
Dissatisfied with the decision, the affected political parties — the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) — approached the Court of Appeal seeking to nullify the Federal High Court judgement.
However, the three-member panel of the appellate court, presided over by Justice Abba Mohammed, held that the trial court lacked the judicial power to entertain the case in the first place.
The Court of Appeal also faulted the Federal High Court for proceeding with the delivery of the judgement despite an order by the appellate court directing a stay of proceedings, which included the delivery of the judgement.
The appellate court described the Federal High Court’s decision as “a nullity,” stating that the action of the trial court amounted to “judicial impertinence” or what the Supreme Court had described as “judicial insubordination.”
The court further held that the first respondent lacked the locus standi to institute the action in the first place, and consequently set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court.
“The evidence before the court clearly shows compliance with Section 225A of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). The judgement of the trial judge was perverse,” the Court of Appeal held.
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